A taster...one of the main characters, an egret called Dred
Dred profile & back story
Egret, stately & elegant in flight, statuesque when wading on riverside, considered slightly exotic, foreign, not a local although living among them many years, arrived as a young bird, never talked about where he had come from, why he left or how he arrived in this hidden valley,
Character quiet, thoughtful, ready to listen & mull over what he hears, if anything too hesitant to share his own thoughts & opinions, stubborn, not easily frightened, respectful of others, lacking vanity in spite of attention he attracts, lonely existence
few recognised his qualities, endured some bullying on first arrival, stood his ground, refused to be drawn into verbal or physical fights over territory, considered aloof, won some sort of respect
Loyal, concerned for the place he now calls home, secretive keeps his own council, does not engage in gossip, successful hunter, patient watcher, then quick and decisive in action, deliberate, knows who can be relied on to speak truth, mistrusts chatterers,
Feels somewhat isolated but not keen to make efforts to go beyond boundaries of the known, absorbed in daily vigil for food, taking comfort in regularity of inter-tidal life,astute gaze usually focussed on the water swirling around his long legs
Egret, stately & elegant in flight, statuesque when wading on riverside, considered slightly exotic, foreign, not a local although living among them many years, arrived as a young bird, never talked about where he had come from, why he left or how he arrived in this hidden valley,
Character quiet, thoughtful, ready to listen & mull over what he hears, if anything too hesitant to share his own thoughts & opinions, stubborn, not easily frightened, respectful of others, lacking vanity in spite of attention he attracts, lonely existence
few recognised his qualities, endured some bullying on first arrival, stood his ground, refused to be drawn into verbal or physical fights over territory, considered aloof, won some sort of respect
Loyal, concerned for the place he now calls home, secretive keeps his own council, does not engage in gossip, successful hunter, patient watcher, then quick and decisive in action, deliberate, knows who can be relied on to speak truth, mistrusts chatterers,
Feels somewhat isolated but not keen to make efforts to go beyond boundaries of the known, absorbed in daily vigil for food, taking comfort in regularity of inter-tidal life,astute gaze usually focussed on the water swirling around his long legs
...towards publishing a story
I have written a story set in a village beside a river. Well they do say write about what you know. Following a strong tradition of English writers my main protagonists are not human, although they do feature, but creatures- birds. I have completed it, although still editing and refining, but it is basically finished. I am now working on illustrative elements which might find their way into the final publication. So far I have created a story- board so that I have an idea of where I want my illustrations and how they will support the text. I still have a lot of work to do on layout and so some sketches and paintings may not find their way into the final book.
I decided to illustrate the book for two main reasons. One is because I can. I have a very strong image in my mind of the setting and characters and so am able to visualise scenes. Secondly from feedback, I have realised that some help in differentiating between the bird species would be helpful to the reader.
My intention is to self- publish a small run on quality paper. I have called it 'Whist Water' Whist! is an old word, exhorting you to listen.
I will add further images to the gallery below.
I decided to illustrate the book for two main reasons. One is because I can. I have a very strong image in my mind of the setting and characters and so am able to visualise scenes. Secondly from feedback, I have realised that some help in differentiating between the bird species would be helpful to the reader.
My intention is to self- publish a small run on quality paper. I have called it 'Whist Water' Whist! is an old word, exhorting you to listen.
I will add further images to the gallery below.
